Romeo and Rosaline - 15

Contrary to his usual dry attire, Romeo’s hair was slicked back with pomade, and his sculpted features glistened under the chandelier. The black vest worn over the black tunic and the slightly loose-fitting pants revealed his well-built body without filter. The austere black created a strange harmony that made him appear even more promiscuous.

Exclamations and sighs erupted from the surroundings, but to Rosaline, Romeo appeared like a devil deliberately descending to enchant humans.

His gaze skimmed over Juliet’s features like they were precious treasures. Despite knowing it was just a crafted face, Rosaline couldn’t help but think of Romeo and Juliet’s tragic end.

Suddenly, Romeo’s words came to mind, urging her to discard unnecessary thoughts. Could his dancing with Juliet be a kind of warning, as if to say, ‘Don’t even think about it’?

Her heart raced uncontrollably, and as Romeo’s black pupils flicked upward, their eyes met. It felt like standing at the edge of a precipice, and her breath quickened.

“Rosaline?”

Startled, Tybalt, who felt her heartbeat against his body, looked bewildered. But as he glanced in the direction of Rosaline’s intensified gaze, he let out a deflated laugh.

“Ah, Rosaline. I see you’re a sucker for a good fling after all, and that bastard is handsome.”

Romeo’s hand slid up Juliet’s back, gently brushing back a stray strand of dark hair. It was the same hair that Rosaline had applied perfume to and touched all morning.

Juliet’s perplexed grimace and Romeo’s deep gaze, seemingly finding her endearing.

The two of them created a perfect picture.

“I heard that Romeo Montague refused the king’s decree. They were originally going to appoint him as the captain of the royal guard.”

Amidst the chaos, Tybalt’s gentle complaint echoed in Rosaline’s ears. He refused? With a trembling voice, Rosaline asked,

“…So, will he continue to stay in Verona?”

“Most likely. There are rumors that he will appoint a representative to govern the received territories.”

If Romeo were to continue staying in Verona, there was no guarantee that Juliet wouldn’t fall in love with him.

Rosaline knew how relentless, foolish, and passionate love could be. Even she, who loved Juliet as a sister, a friend, and a mistress, had started this senseless deal with Romeo. Because she still loved Juliet, who was about to leave her.

Regardless, it was a lifelong sentiment she held onto. It wasn’t an emotion that could easily disappear.

Of course, unlike in the past, Rosaline couldn’t fathom Romeo being capable of loving someone else. But if he persisted in pursuing someone, he would undoubtedly sway them.

Just like how Rosaline herself was swayed.

Would Romeo and Juliet fall in love and have a happy ending? No, he would undoubtedly create a rift. With his silver tongue, he would lead the once clever Juliet down the path of death once again. It would be a hundred times better for Tybalt to confront Romeo in a duel, just like he did in the past.

Baseless and irrational thoughts overshadowed Juliet.

‘What should I do?’

Is it inevitable that I can only be discarded while fulfilling his desires?

Their relationship was not grand or significant, but he wanted her true heart. Yet, this relationship was based on a transaction. And it was a one-sided deal disadvantageous to Rosaline.

He doesn’t even talk about why he wants her. He doesn’t get emotional, but he doesn’t tell her about the source of his cyptic glances. She can’t figure him out.

Only Rosaline, who knew everything, revealed it all. It was as if she had loved alone, no different from that.

If it ends like this, it’s the same as being discarded. No, she will undoubtedly be discarded.

She needs to find a way.

Amidst the shattered mind, the crescendo of the instruments announcing the climax of the dance, the sound of shoes hitting the floor as they stepped, and the lingering trace of death intertwined.

When Romeo and Juliet became entangled in the dance path of others, Rosaline finally pushed Tybalt away. Then she ran towards the spot where Romeo and Juliet had disappeared.

“Juliet, my lady!”

“Rosaline!”

Amidst the bewildered call of Tybalt being buried in the crowd, the music that had been racing towards its peak came to an end, leaving behind a lingering presence. In the heavy silence, there was no sign of Romeo and Juliet anywhere. Pale-faced, Rosaline screamed.

“Lady, my lady!!! Juliet!!!”

Despite the murmurs and sharp glances from others, there was no need to pay attention.

It was when she swiftly turned my eyes, harming people as I searched for the lady. As I entered the crowded hallway from the hall, a familiar voice cut through the air.

“Rosaline, what on earth are you doing?”

It was my mother, who had been unseen for a while. It seemed she had come because she noticed some conspicuous behavior in the hall. It wasn’t that I wanted to see my mother, but finding Juliet and Romeo immediately was a priority.

“Mother, the lady has disappeared.”

“What…”

“She was dancing with Romeo, and suddenly… she vanished…”

My mother lowered her head.

“Mr. Montague was dancing with another woman from the beginning. You must have mistaken her for Juliet just because of their similar black hair.”

Now that I think about it, I could only see Juliet’s back and side profile. Black hair is common, so it could have been someone other than Juliet. But at that moment, it felt like it was undoubtedly Juliet.

“It wasn’t a mistake. The lady was… surely…”

“The lady went to the office because she had something to confirm. Where the hell have you been?”

“Could it be that she went with that man…?”

“Rosaline!”

As if scolding her own wild imagination, her mother shouted.

“He’s gone with the Prince and some of his servants on business upstairs!”

Was it just an excessive worry that created a misconception of what she had seen? While Rosaline was confused, her mother continued speaking without stopping.

“Wandering around, dancing with a man like you were sleepwalking. You’re behaving so frivolously.”

Sleepwalking?

Did she mishear? Rosaline’s movements, which had only been fragmented, came to a sudden halt. It felt as if she had been doused with cold water, her mind became clear but distant at the same time.

“You said… sleepwalking?”

“Why, does it bother you?”

Her mother sneered with cold eyes.

“I’m only relaying what people around are saying. Reflect on your actions.”

“Could it be that I danced with the young master…”

“I know. No matter how lenient the rules of the temple have become, for a person who is supposed to be a priestess to wear such clothes and dance with a young master!”

“This is the dress the lady gave me. And the young master…!”

“You should have refused!!!”

Although she was of common birth, her mother was always refined like a court lady as a member of the Capulet household and the closest aide to the Capulet master. But today her face was flushed like she was on the verge of death.

“Lately, you’ve been telling lies and behaving shamelessly. Trusting every man you meet, aren’t you?”

Her mother’s words turned sharp and hysterical, mixed with a metallic sound. In her shouting expression, there was an eerie glimpse of fear, as if it had been held back all this time. But the hatred towards Rosaline seemed to overcome that fear.

“How could I not know that you’re cavorting with some scoundrel?”

While she might have known about Rosaline being involved with a man, the fact that she referred to him as a scoundrel indicated that she didn’t know who he was. At that moment, a sense of relief came first. If her mother knew that he was Romeo, it wouldn’t have ended with just shouting.

“You might be the only one allowed in the guesthouse, but if you had the audacity to bring him into our house, thinking I wouldn’t know, then you’re a fool. How much have the lady and the young master done for you? Repaying their kindness like this?”

As her mother’s voice grew louder, the words became indistinct.

“Hah, I’m guilty of letting you put your filthy hands on the lady’s body.”

Her sarcastic words pierced her eardrums. But perhaps due to excessive twisting, she couldn’t feel the pain. Rosaline looked at her in disbelief, her breath caught. I’m just doing my best in my own way, so why am I hearing such words.

“I don’t know my father either, Mother.”

Rosaline’s toneless words caused her mother, who had been berating her, to freeze momentarily.

“I wasn’t the only one involved with a scoundrel.”

“This crazy bitch…!!!”

Her mother raised her hand, but Rosaline caught it with vacant eyes. It was an action born out of a pure instinct to avoid being hit and the injustice of being forced into an embarrassing situation.

“Are you going to let go or not? You’ve finally lost your mind.”

Without realizing how her own body was moving, Rosaline tightly held her mother’s wrist and smiled faintly.

“Why do you say such things that hurt yourself and hurt me.”